Clarksville weekly chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1873-1890, 1887-05-21

"sSs0Rl
The name of the Rev. Henry f. Beaumont
furnishes a theme for the most gifted pen to
most lofty eloquence in describing his SUBJ
lime character without exaggerating or even
reaching the merits of his remarkable life, SO
full Of golden sheaves. And yet the whole OF
IL might be written in few word "He was
as near perfection as 1t ispossible for man in
this life." But his acts and deeds should be
held up in detail in the light for the coming
generations of young men, who would have
perfect model by which to fashion a life of
usefulness. The writer Is aware of the fact
that the blographer Is expected to do much
pen painting In pleasing life sketches, but in
this instance language falls to furnish words
for painting canvas already glittering like
diamonds beneath the sinbeams. People
yet living who knew him personally will not
read line of this, or hear his name men,
toned, without thrilling sensation in the
pleasing recolections of the grand old man.
And the young who knew him not, will
have their tender sympathies touched in ex-
cited admiration for such noble character
Even the little children about Clarksville
know that there is something like magic in
the name of Beaumont" but do not under
stand that the spirit of the father of Metho-
dism, of education, of charity, of public en-
terprise, of every good cause in Clarksville
from 1929 to 1864, is still brooding over this
people, like charm that softens and sweet
ems rugged nature, although the man has
been dead twenty three years.
1t Is possible, and it may be quite easy for
q minister, a man of God, whose only BUSH
ness and duty it is to read and study the
scriptures and preach the gospel, living as he
should prayerfully, to draw very near to the
Lord, keeping Christ in his life and the Spirit
in his heart, but 1t is difficult, extremely diff
fcult, for men buised with the affairs OF the
world, coming in contact daily with all kinds
of men, pressed from morning till night, day
in and day out, with the cares of life, the re-
sponsibilities of public affairs, the intricacies
of financeering troublesome institutions and
weak enterprises meeting and dealing with
every class Of humanity and suffering in life,
to reach SO high a state in spiritual nature,
and but few, very few, ever do. Mr.. Beau
mont, however, was one of that few. He car
ried his religion into everything; it seemed
as If Christ walked with him in all his daily
avocation, commanding reverence wherever
he went from all classes. lie possessed the
power of knitting people together with ten
der ties of friendship, binding with cords
that never loosen, but strengthened by new
links uniting the present generation in the
same fraternal bond, and SO 1t is that this
wonderful influence still lives. Truly he was
blessed of God, and used by the Lord an In
strument for great good, and everything he
put his hands to was blessed. All people who
knew Mr.. Beaumont admired his straight
forward walk and loved him as a Christian
man. Many yet living who grew up boys
and girls under his magic influence cherish
in memory the sparkling gems which made
his life so beautiful, and when those gems in
acts and deeds are grouped together they re-
veal crown ofglory that but few men ever
win. @
Henry F. Beaumont was born in Halifax,
Yorkshire, England, at IL o'clock on the even
ing of the last day of December, 1900, and con-
sevuently had lived two centuries when an
hour old. At the early age of sixteen years
he came to this country, locating in Lynch
burg, Virginia. He was brought up in the
Church of England, but finding no organiza-
ton OF the kind in Lynchburg, he united
with the Methodist Church and at once CON-
menced his Christian career, studied the bible,
lived an active Christian life, put his hands
to every good work. and very soon the church
discovered that his zeal and proficiency justi-
fed his ordinatian for the ministry. Young
Beaumont, however, did not Join the confer
ence to make preaching dependence. He
had learned the tobacco business and other
lines of commerce and stuck to that, giving
his nights, Sundays and all spare tine TO
preaching and studying the word. But here
n new dream came into his life. 1t was
not easy and pleasant to tread alone the path
he had chosen, and there was a craving In
his heart for some sweet companionship to
tighten the burdens and beauufy life. Yes,
the young preacher found himself not alone
in love with his chosen profession; he had
met q beautiful girl whose womanly grace
and oewitching charms filled his heart with
ecstacy. Who doubts that the hand of Fate
appoints the destiny of men and women vino
trust God and love His service? Can 1t be
possible that the God OF Love, whose all-see-
ing even keeps watch over the little sparrow,
will allow Cupid to misguide the children of
His love In the important affairs ofthe heart,
while the spirit is striving TO shape and seal
their lives for His names honor and glory ?
No. mol Marriage is Of Divine authority and
sanction, and Gods love is sure TO temper and
direct Cupld's arrow, uniting the destinies of
men and women for His glory, and this is
what sweetens marital life. Those who
bllndly rush to the hymeneal altar under the
guidance Of lust and passion, soon reach all OF
the Joys In selfish desire, and here happiness
ends and misery comes In TO make life hades.